AISSMS Institute Of Management - The Visionary King Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj's strategy of Women Empowerment for Social Prosperity

Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, during his rule, attempted to liberate the Non-Brahmin class from the grip of baised casteism. He enacted various laws against traditional standing and religion and offered significance to the current position of women in society. He committed himself to the social transformation idea of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.

Nevertheless, he thought that education could not serve as a tool for the evolution and progress of Non-Brahmins and Dalits. So, he legislated various laws to advance social equality, justice, and value in his rule. Shahu Maharaj resuscitated the ‘Satyashodhak Samaj’ of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. He was a passionate supporter of ideologies by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. He understood the importance of education in the life of Bahujan Samaj.

Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj observed the situation and genuinely thought about improving the lives of the women in the dominant male society. He assessed the issues of women and concluded that education is not the only answer. He sensed the necessity of robust and enforceable laws to prevent the exploitation of the women in the current societal caste and varna system. His commitment to creating particular laws for women’s empowerment was incredible. They are significant today.

The legislated laws by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj are as follows:

1. Free and Compulsory Primary Education to All Act, 1917

2. Inter-caste and Inter-religion Marriage Act, 1919

3. Widow Remarriage Act,1917

4. Divorce Act and Security of Women Rights after Divorce Act,1919

5. The Marriage Registration Act, 1919

6. The Prevention of Harassment to Women Act, 1919

7. Rights of Illegitimate Hindu Children and Jogtini Act, 1920

The acts legislated by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj for the empowerment of women are still relevant in today’s context. Government of India legislated acts for the above-discussed issues after freedom which indicates how visionary was Shahu Maharaj about the empowerment of the women.

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